Traction machine



May 1Q 1927' o. J. MARTINSON TRACTION MACHINE Filed April 24, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1,627,984 0. J. MARTINSON TRACTION MACHINE May 10, 1927.

Filed April 24 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I j L WW0)? m} nae/ May 10, 1927.

O. J. MARTINSON TRACTION MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24. 1925 III I wn-EE-EEE I A All I Will/Ill/ll/l/r/M wi v 4/ improvement Patented May 10, 1927.

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR J'. MARTINSON, OF CHI The purpose improvements in OF CHICAGO,

CAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MONIGHAN MACHINE ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TRACTION MACHINE.

Application filed. April 24, 1925. Serial No. 25,567.

of this invention is to provide traction or propulsion machinery. The new as appliedjto it'is intended that this mechanism accomplish in a more perfect manner the traction mechanism work performed by the described in applicants Patent No. 1,101,460, June 23, 1914, excavator tractors.

The patented arrangement has met with considerable success in moving excavators, as required under average conditions Where work suchas the digging of drainage machines,

is performed by such ditches through sometimes rough and otherwise uneven slopes,

at times necessary sand, muddy or marshy land.

ground including gradual It is for such machines to ,work in places where water is two or three feet deep and therefore, provided the bottom soft, and they are,

with main and auxiliary supporting platforms of considerable area.

The present construction is designed along somewhat similar lines in that the working machine rests upon a large base around which the machine may turn on a circular track and vertical king-pin in order that the bucket carrying desired direction f beam may extend in any rom the machine. The

machine is provided with a heavy horizontal shaft, which supports,

at its ends, large auxiliary bases through eccentrics carried by the shaft.

The present inve to the construction ntion is directed mainly of an operating mechanism for the auxiliary bases and the means for lifting and propelling the main base and the machine supported thereon. One desired round. The preferred rst vertically lift brought about by is the character of the present step taken hen propelled over the performance is to the main base and machine thereon and then cause the machine to travel horizontally gradually moving final settling motion of end of the step is while at the same time downwardly so that the the machine at the performed without jar or extensive vibration as would be the case if such a heavy machine as an excavator,

with its overhangin suddenly move downward two or under its own weight. effect a considerable lift the beginning of a g boom,

three feet It is necessary to of the machine at step in order to lift i excavating machine were allowed to ,a clutch out of a depression which it may be in due to its own weight, and also to clear obstructions over which .it must pass in its general horizontal motion. Another result accomplished by the use of the present construction, is to improve the Walking action of the machine when making an ascent or descent over inclined ground, and also to prevent slippage of the machine at such times provided the inclination is not greater than the safe limits for any such mechanism. The improved construction is also suitable for walking across ground inclined laterally of the direction of travel, in that the auxiliary bases are swiveled in such manner that they may assume any reasonable angle in any direction with respect to the setting of the main supporting base of the machine.

The improved traction means is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side view ofa drag-line excavator provided with the traction means.

Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the traction mechanism in moved positions over what-is shown in Fig. 1.

'Fig. 4 is a plan view of the main and auxiliary bases of the machine, but with the proper, which rests upon ,the turntable of the main base, being omitted.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a side view of one of the auxiliary bases; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views respectively taken on the lines 7-7 and 8-8 of Fig. 6

The traction mechanism to which this invention relates is, to an extent, independent of the type of machine in connection with which it may be used, but the machine shown in the drawings is what is known as a dragline excavator having the customary main supporting base preferably circular in plan, and upon which is rotatably supported, through bearing rollers and a circular track, the machine platform. This supports an engine having connections for operating the boom and drag-line, and for swinging the machine around the supporting base, and also having suitable reduction gearing an for transmitting motion from the engine to a horizontal shaft which extends outwardly from each side of the machine and carries, through eccentrics, bases. Therefore, when the machine 15 swung around the annular bearing on the sired traveling motion while main supporting platform, the auxiliary platformsare carried around with it and thus may be set for causing the machine to travel in any desired horizontal direction. The eccentrics on the horizontal shaft fit within horizontally extended openings in frames extending upwardly fromthe auxiliary platforms. The result of this construction is that when the horizontal shaft, is rotated, the eccentrics first bear downwardly upon the frames of the auxiliary bases, lifting the main base and shifting it over the ground as the eccentrics roll along the ex.

tended openings in the frames of the auxiliary bases. As the eccentrics come to the end of these openings, the main base is lowered to the ground and further rotation of the eccentrics serves to lift the auxiliary bases and shift them'in turn over the ground "before allowing the auxiliary bases to come to rest, and again repeat the operation. A cam action occurs between the'eccentrics and the frames of the auxiliary bases at the time l the eccentrics are lifting and lowering the main base, otherwise pitman connections compel a positive action, while the eccentrics either roll in the openings in the frames of the auxiliary bases, or by rolling contact with the upper sides of the openings in the frames serve to shift the auxiliary bases. Pitmans or links are provided between the eccentrics and the frames of the auxiliary bases in order to positively compel the deermitting slippage of the eccentrics when lifting.

The above described construction as shown in the drawings consists principally inthe main base 1, auxiliary bases 2 and 3, the supporting platform 5 for the excavating machine, not completel illustrated but mainly contained with t e housingfi, and including suitable operating means for the bucket supporting beam 7 and for the dragline 8 of the bucket 9. Themachine platform 5 is provided with bearings for supporting a horizontal shaft 10, which is squared at its outer ends to rigidly carry eccentrics 1 1.

The new construction of auxiliary bases, and operating mechanism therefor is most clearly shown in Figs. 6 to 8. Each auxiliradially extending annular flanges 17 and 18 extending over the sides of frames 13 to prevent displacement of the frames with respect to the eccentrics. The frames 13 are shown as formed of two parts 19 and 20 connected together by bolts 21, and this permits fitting the frames over the eccentrics. Due to the considerable load which must be transmitted through the frames 13 to the auxiliary platforms 12, the latter are provided with concave bearing members 22 engaging the convex lower part 23 of frame 13. The trunnions 14 therefore do not have to transmit the entire load and may serve mainly to prevent displacement between the parts 12' and 13 of the auxiliary bases.

Each eccentric 11 is connected by a connecting rod or link 24 with the corresponding frame 13. These connecting rods serve to compel the desired motion between the eccentrics and the frames 13. For the purpose of supporting the connecting rods, the eccentrics are provided with studs 25 and the frames 13'are provided with studs 26.

The elongated openings 28 in the frame members 13 and within which the eccentrics 11 rotate are preferably sloped downwardly the auxiliary bases and lift the same, it isv necessary for the eccentrics to slip within the openings 18 when at the ends thereof. Hence these eccentrics and the openings are made with smooth surfaces. It is preferred not to employ teeth, but still to provide a positive drive as the eccentrics roll along the lower trackways 29 of the openings. The positive drive is provided for by the links 24. These links are free to oscillate around their pivots 26 as the opposite supporting pins 25 move in a circular path around the shaft 10, and have elongated apertures 31 at one of the pivots to compensate for the arc of oscillation.

The shaft 10 is supported in suitable bearings 30, and receives motion from the power unit 32 through clutch 33 and transmission 34.

In operation of the device, a driving connection is first made between shaft 10 and the power unit on the platform 5. Rotation of the shaft 10 is in the direction indicated by arrow 27 (Fig. 6.). Thus the eccentrics,

. when turned in this direction and from the starting position indicated in Fig. 6, first bear downwardly on the lower'trackways 28 of the parts 20 of the frames 13, sli ping in these trackways whilethe shaft 10 1s bodily the inclination of the way shaft, and said ways moved in an are fromthe full line position in Fig. 6 to the dotted line position 10, then the eccentrics 'rollalong the way 28 causing the machine to'be pulled over the ground in a more or less horizontal direction, erably gradually toward the ground, due to 28, so that the come to rest gradually falling downward. In this manner the stepping motion is made easy on the machine and less power isconsumed in dragging the machine over the ground than if the motion were strictly horizontal from the lifting to lowering positions.

The connecting rods 24 always insure the correct position of the auxiliary bases with respect to the eccentrics. Nothing like what is known in this art as a misstep is possible. The auxiliary platforms are retained against lateral displacement by the flanges on the eccentrics and the trunnions connecting the two parts of the auxiliary bases. These connections allow the necessary freedom of motion without binding in the mechanism.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a main supporting base, auxiliary bases located at the sides of said main supporting base, a horizontal shaft extending across said main supporting base and provided with toothless eccentric wheels at its ends engaging suitable coacting ways on said auxiliary bases, means for driving said shaft, said ways being in the form of elliptical openings with their major axes extending in the horizontal direction transversely of said shaft, and having minor axes substantially the same as the diameter of the said wheels.

machine will finally and without abruptly 2. A mechanism of the class described,

comprising a main supporting base, auxiliary bases located at the sides of said main supporting base, a horizontal shaft extending across said main supporting base and provided with toothless eccentric wheels at its ends engaging suitable coacting ways on said auxiliary bases, means for driving said being in the form of elongated or elliptical openings with their major axes extending in the horizontal direction transversely 0 said shaft, said ways being sloped from one end to the other.

3. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a main supporting base, auxiliary bases located at the sides of said main supporting base, a horizontal shaft extending across said main supporting base an provided with toothless eccentrics at its ends engaging suitable coacting but pref-- base,

ways on said auxiliary bases, connecting rods between said eccentrics and auxiliary bases, means for driving said shaft, and said ways being in the form ofelongated or elliptical openings with their major axes extending in the horizontal direction transversely of said shaft.

4.. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a main supporting base, auxiliary bases located at the sides of said main supporting base,a horizontal shaft extending across said main supporting base and provided with toothless eccentrics at its ends engagingsuitable coacting ways on said auxiliary bases, connecting rods between said e'.centrics and auxiliary bases and arranged to allow for lost motion according to their are of oscillation, means for driving said shaft, and said ways being in the form of elongated or elliptical openings with their major axes extending in a horizontal direction transversely of said shaft.

5. A mechanism of the class described comprising a main supporting base, an auxiliai y a horizontal shaft mounted for rotation on said main supporting base, an eccentric carried by said horizontal shaft, said auxiliary base being provided with a hor1- zontally extended way within which said eccentric rotates, and a--pi tman connecting said eccentric with said auxiliary base.

6. A mechanism of the class described comprising a main supporting base, an auxiliary base, a horizontal shaft mounted for rotation on said main' supporting base, an eccentric carried by said horizontal shaft, said auxiliary base being provided with a horizontally extended way within which said eccentric rotates, and a pitman connecting said eccentric with said auxiliary base, said auxiliary base being formed of two, parts which are connected for relative oscillation around a horizontal axis.

7. A mechanism of the class prisin a machine provided with a honzontal y extending shaft and means for driving said shaft, an eccentric secured to said shaft, a traction means cooperating with said eccentric, ing a horizontally extending opening within which said eccentric rotates, and a pitman connecting said traction means with said eccentric.

8. A mechanism of the class described comprising a machine provided with a horizontall extending shaft and means for driving sai shaft, an eccentric secured to said shaft, a traction means cooperating with said eccentric, said traction means having a horizontally extending opening within which said eccentric rotates, and a pitman connecting said traction means with said eccentric, said opening being inclined in the direction of its length w'th respect to the base line of said t a ti n meme described com-.

said traction means hav- 3 said shaft, an eccentric secured to said shaft,

a traction means cooperating with said eccentric, said traction means having a horn, zontally extendlng opening within WhlCh said eccentric rotates, and a pitman connecting said traction means with said eccentric, said traction means having a base swiveled thereto on an axis extending in the direction of length of said opening.

10. A mechanism of the class described comprising a-main supporting base, an auxiliary base for traction purposes havin' a frame structure provided with an elliptical opening, a horizontal shaft mounted for rotation in bearings upon said main supporting base, means on said supporting base for driving said shaft, an eccentric disk carried by said shaft and fitting within said elliptical opening in the frame of the auxiliary base, said auxiliary base and the frame thereof being swiveled together on an axis extending inthe-direction of length of said opening.

11. A mechanism for transporting loads by step motions comprising a mainsupporting base and an auxiliary base, said main supporting base being provided with a horizontal shaft and means for driving .said shaft, said auxiliary base being provided with a vertical frame having therein a way elongated in a horizontal direction and rounded at its ends on an arc the diameter of which is the same as the minor axis of said way, a wheel fitting within said way,

the diameter of which is the same as said minor axis, said wheel' being eccentrically secured to said horizontal shaft.

12. A mechanismfor transporting loads by step motions comprising a main supportmg base and an auxiliary base, said main supporting base being provided with a hor1- the diameter of which is the same as said minor axis, said Wheel being eccentrically secured to said horizontal shaft.

13. A mechanism for transporting loads by step motions comprising a main supporting base and an auxiliarybase, said main supporting base being provided with a horizontal shaft and means for driving said shaft, said auxiliary base being provided with a vertical frame and having therein a way elongated in a horizontal direction and rounded at its ends on an arc thediameter of which is the same as the minor axis of said way, a wheel fitting within said way, the diameter of which isthe same as said minor axis, said wheel bein eccentrically secured to said horizontal sha t, and a connection between said wheel and auxiliary base for positively shifting the auxiliary base.

A Signed at Chicago this 21st day of April 1925.

OSCAR J. MARTINSON. 

